Detergent and method of making the same



Patented Jan. 27, 1925.

ROY L. GINTER, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO THE TULSA LABORATORIES, INC., OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, A CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA.

DETERGENT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ro L. GINTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tulsa, in the county of Tulsa and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detergents and Methods of Making the Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to detergents and methods of making the same; and it comprises a stable detergent composition containing a complex emulsion of mineral oil and clay in Water and soap, made under heat and pressure; and it also comprises a process of forming such a compound detergent wherein fatt oils are saponified under heat, pressure an energetic agitation in the presence of clay and mineral oil; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and as claimed.

For detergent purposes it is desirable to have a composition including soap and in addition a certain amount of mineral oil as well as an insoluble mineral matter; such compositions being particularly useful for the removal of soot, grease, oil, paint, etc., from the person. Such a detergent is also very useful in the kitchen and factory. While it is comparatively easy to emulsit'y mineral oils with strong soap solutions, the emulsions are not always as permanent as can be desired; it being in fact rather difficult to make a stable emulsion of this kind.

The difiiculty is increased where a mineral matter of relatively high specific gravity .is also to be incorporated in the emulsified composition.

In the present invention I have devised a method of producing stable 3-phase emul sions for detergent purposes composed of mineral oil, which is advantageously a heavy oil, and clay as dispersoids with soap solution as the containing phase. Clay is a material capable of readily forming suspensions in aqueous liquids of the nature of those known as colloid suspensions; but these suspensions are not usually permanent. Their permanence is somewhat increased by the presence of alkalies and many other things; but it is difficult to produce a completely permanent suspension. Clay particles may be regarded as carrying adsorbed water; and to the extent that this adsorbed water can be re laced by certain ions, the permanence of t e suspension is increased,

Application filed January 25, 1922. Serial No. 531,768.

but such a replacement is however relatively slow and usually not far going. Much the same considerations apply to suspensions of mineral oils in water containing emulsifyliquid phase consisting of strong soap solution, are secured. 'As to the particular relation of the oil and of the clay to each other existing in this material on the one-hand and of each to the soap solution on the other, I express no opinion, contenting myself with noting the principles involved and the method of securing my results.

In practical embodiments of the present invention I mix mineral oil With fatty oil and with clay and add a suflicientquantity of a solution ofa caustic alkali, caustic soda or caustic potash, as the case may be, to saponify the fatty oil present. Ordinarily, I also add at this time a further quantity of soda ash for the sake of itsdetergent properties .in the final composition. Such an addition of soda ash, if made, may however be later. 'The mixture of alkali solution, mineral oil, and fatty oil I heat for some time in a sealed container of the nature of an autoclave under agitation. Ordinarily I employ 20 to 40 pounds pressure and the corresponding temperature. A digestion of 4 to 6 hours is usually sufficient.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention I have taken 450 parts by Weight of cotton oil and an equal amount of 22 Baum mineral oil of good quality. To this I added 90 parts by weight of caustic potash dissolved in 1.000 parts of water, and 500 parts by Wei ht of clay. As the clay component .I used although any other clay of good quality is applicable.

After the digestion and agitation in the manner specified, a rat-her creamy preparation is secured upon releasing the pressure and removing the material from the autoclave or boiler. Ordinarily after releasing commercial kaolin, A

the pressure I further agitate at atmospheric pressure, this time rather energetically, while the material is still warm; say at about 190 to 200 Fahrenheit. If it is desirable to incorporate further clay, it may be added at this time. Or if another mineral matter of the nature of an abradant, such as fine sand is desired in the final material, it may also be added at thistime. lVith the particular preparation previously specified I have used as high as 20 to 25 per cent of 100 mesh sand. I maintain the energetic agitation of the mixture during the cooling to room temperature. Coloring matters, scent-giving matters, etc, may be added at any time duringthe operation; but with volatile odoriferous materials it is better to add them after the material becomes fairly cool.

As stated, any good commercial clay may be used as a component in the present composition. Ground shale may be employed. Any natural mineral of more or less clayey properties may also be used. I have sometimesused kieselguhr or diatomaceous earth as a substitute for clay in the high temperature digestion. While kieselguhr is not of clayey nature, it is a hydrated form of silica which under the influence of the alkali tends to form suspensoids in the present operation in much the same manner as cla s the mineral oil component I may use any commercial mineral oil of clean nature .and good quality.- A light colored mineral oil of about 20 to 35 Baum ordinarily works best. Certain mineral oils are considered more emulsifiable than others. I prefer, of course, those of relatively good emulsifying 'ower;'those of what 'is called low demulsibility number. Acid treated oils are not ordinarily as good as others. However any good mineral oil of high detergent properties maybe used in the present process; I merely prefer those which emulsify readily. As the saponifiable oil I may use any of the commercial vegetable "or animal oils of 00d quality palm oil, rape seed oil, lard oil, etc. Soya bean oil forms a very good composition.

Instead of forming the soap in the presence of the matters to, be emulsified, as in the foregoing example, the soap may be preformed and added t6 the mineral oil, clay and Water, the digestion operation being otherwise conducted as described. But I find there are certain advantages in forming the soap at the time of making the emulsified preparation.

My final preparation is a consistent permanent compound emulsion of, ordinarily, about the consistency of heavy cream. In use it readily mixes with and distributes through water without apparent separation of its components. It may be used in the same manner as soap and is an active detergent. Unless sand or other granular material has been added it is free of grit. \Vhile proportions like those hereinbefore specified are highly suitable for my purposes, I am not restricted to them.

\Vhat I claim is 1. The process of producing a permanent detergent emulsion which comprises heat-- ing mineral oil, clay, water and soapy materials together under pressure and agitation.

2. The process of producing a permanent detergent emulsion which comprises heating mineral oil, fatty oil, clayey matter,

water and alkali together under heat and pressure, releasing the pressure and continuing the agitation until the material becomes cool.

3. vThe process of producing a permanent detergent emulsion which comprises heating mineral oil, fatty oil, clayey matter, water and alkali together under heat and-pressure, releasing the pressure and continuing the agitation until the material becomes cool, a small amount of soda ash being added to the mixture during the operation.

4. Asa detergent, a compound emulsion of permanent nature, said emulsion containing clay and mineral oil in suspensioirin an aqueous soap solution, said emulsion having been heated under pressure and said emulsion being substantially permanent and evincing no separation of its components on storage.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

ROY L. GINTER. 

